I didn't say bending or breaking the rules. I said USING the rules. There really is no bending or breaking the rules anyway. Fouling someone isn't breaking the rules (or bending them). It's just part of the rules of the game. That's what Harden is using. You can see some of the smarter/better defenders realize it. Taj Gibson, who truly is a REALLY REALLY good switch big man defender, was constantly aware of his hands last night and not reaching when he got switched onto Harden. But last nigh Harden was just in beast mode. He didn't even really need switches. He took Butler multiple times without switches. Taj did his best, but no luck, and if you can't use your arms/hands to try and "keep contact" so to speak as a defender against Harden, you're screwed.
It isn't always a travel, and it isn't never a travel, so ---- it isn't fun to start a thread saying "Harden sometimes travels", though, is it? Probably because it shouldn't be a thread.
The fans, refs, coaches, analysts, and players are constantly arguing about these three topics in EVERY single game. But you know though. Right! Maybe if you played basketball and studied the game you would understand how subjective these calls really are. Then again, maybe you should be a ref since you know it all so well. I'm sure the NBA is calling you right now. Hahaha!
you making it about something it isn't. we've specifically talked about a move here as it pertains to this thread. and its not a travel. yet you're talking about something else
It's one move was a travel, i agreed but check at all of lebron drives to the basket...it's all travel. One missed call doesnt make it a travel all the time. Are you going to based on that one move claiming all stepbacks are travel? If so, all layups are travel.
so is there a pivot foot when guys dribble and take their two steps w/o dribbling for a layup or dunk? @HardenMvp
Also, did you know that when you dribble the ball, you can carry the ball as well and therefore all dribbles are illegal so you can only pass the ball from now on.
This is best post in the thread. He doesn't normally travel when he does it, but yes, sometimes he does travel. Like any great player, occasionally Harden doesn't execute perfectly and gets away with it. It's interesting that this gets so much attention though. Giannis fouls CONSTANTLY and doesn't get called for them. When he finally fouled out last night he couldn't believe and he was right to be mad considering what he gets away with. Why the media focuses on Harden's handful of step backs where maybe 1 in 10 is even questionable and ignores the constant illegal screens by Golden State, the Lebron elbows when he drives, etc. is beyond me.
there is breaking the rules that doesnt get called. handchecking is not allowed in the nba meaning you cant reach with your hands to hold the player from shooting or driving. many players still try to reach and hold on the the perimeter so they can prevent the drive while maintaining defensive position and have the ability to block the shot. this is rarely called so harden and cp3 go up to shoot it to force the foul call.
I gotta admit, watching this play in real time, I thought "whoops, refs missed that one." But with that slow-mo replay, wow, great footwork. Using the gather step to its absolute extreme. Great play.
Either HardenMVP is an ex LOF who joined through another account to get this pathetic takes off or is one of those losers from warriorsworld who are desperate.
Harden doesn't just bamboozle the opponents, he bamboozles the eyes of every one watching him play. "That... that can't be legal, right?" Harden is a basketball offense genius.
Yeah, I just wouldn't called that breaking the rules. It's just a part of the rules. But its semantics.